Frank Turner - The Sand In The Gears Lyrics






Can't I just spend the next four years at a punk show?
I want to spend the next four years in the front row
Because if the world outside is going to shit
Then you will find me in the centre of the circle pit
I'm going to spend the next four years at a punk show

Can't I just spend the next four years getting wasted?
Maybe if I drink enough whisky shots I can face it
Because if we're welcoming in World War Three
Then I'm waving goodbye to my sobriety
I'm going to spend the next four years getting wasted

What do we do if they don't represent us?
What do we do, do, do?
I thought that we were winning the war against the homophobes and the racists
You can't be serious man, we can't be this fucked
Well I'm sorry, old friends, I guess it's time to suck it up
Don't go giving up now, here's what we do:

We can't just spend the next four years in a safe space
I'm going to spend the next four years getting outraged
So every single day let's find a brand new way
To let the motherfuckers know that we can't be swept away
I'm going to spend the next four years on the barricades

A change is going to come, and there's nothing to be done
A change is going to come, come, come:
The only thing to choose is to decide which way you're going to jump
So don't give into the hatred; don't give into the fear
Pour yourself a shot of anger to go with your beer

Let's be the sand in the gears for the next four years
Let's be the sand in the gears for the next four years
Let's be the sand in the gears for the next four years
Let's be the sand in the gears for the next four years
Let's be the sand in the gears for the next four years

Trust me, it's going to be a long four years
(Let's be the sand in the gears for the next four years)
Trust me, it's going to be a long four years
(Let's be the sand in the gears for the next four years)
Trust me, it's going to be a long four years
Let's be the sand in the gears for the next four years





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Frank Turner The Sand In The Gears Comments
  1. D.... K....

    Revisiting on this Day of Impeachment. I was in the crowd during this recording. I attended the march in DC a day or two later. And now he’s impeached. Sand....

  2. R.... L....

    Thank you sir, thank you so much. This song is more relevant in the UK today than it ever has been. I've had a few shots of anger right now and I'm ready to be the sand in the gears. Fuck hatred, fuck poverty, fuck austerity and fuck the selfishness ✌

  3. C.... E....

    This also now relates to the UK politics too.

  4. A.... P....

    Seems quite apt in the UK today.

  5. J.... S....

    Fuck, need this today.

  6. S.... R....

    Damn, another mid-level musician who I have to unfollow. Take care, and thanks for Anna Begins at least.

  7. J.... S....

    These boots are on their way to the barricades, an anti-fascist rally. Fuck intolerance...and Frank inspired me to a return to social activism.

  8. T.... R....

    He should stay out of political subjects as it destroys his songs and makes us refrain from buying his new preachy album.

    T.... R....

    He's the one with the microphone son.

    T.... R....

    I'm sure he really needs you to buy his new album. He fucking loves what he does and if you don't like it move on.

  9. P.... O....

    This is exactly what I needed to hear.

  10. C.... W....

    I hope Frank reads this: I saw this song live in Lyon several months ago and it was a spiritual experience. This guy gets it! Other people feel the same way I do! It has been stuck in my head many times since then and keeps me sane on days I want to burn something, Thank you for making one random dude's life a little less hopeless.

  11. e.... ....

    Frank, always on point.

  12. f.... c....

    great song

  13. A.... H....

    wow a rich white libertarian complaining about safe spaces how original
    Frank Turner is one of my favourite musicians of all time, but every single one of this solo career political songs just make me want to wretch

  14. O.... E....

    Franks a libertarian, i thought he'd be quite into the next 4 years

    O.... E....

    Libertarians don't build border walls

  15. K.... B....

    I want a t shirt that says I will be the sand in the gears for the next four years.

  16. C.... F....

    I Love this song! I Love Frank Turner. I will say this we are living in an age where we cannot afford to look at our differences as obstacles. If they build a wall we knock it down and make it a bridge. Let me say that I am a 46 year old Xicano (an awakened Mexican) who is also a Muslim and you will catch me "at a punk show" and if the mood is right in "the circle pit" My religion does not condone a certain lifestyles and practices but there is one thing i saw in the wake of the Orlando shooting. We had a vigil in my city that brought together many people of different races and orientations religions etc. And i saw Muslims and the LGBT community come together and even embrace each other because both communities had fallen victim to hate and misunderstanding. I hope to see you all at " The Barricades"

  17. T.... H....

    Is the picture from Portsmouth Guildhall?

  18. M.... C....

    Love this!!! TY for the inspiration. I have been feeling deflated lately. Chin up and forward march!

  19. T.... A....

    This song is everything right now

  20. L.... B....

    And right when we need it most, someone goes political again :). Thanks for having our emotional backs, Frank!

  21. A.... W....

    I love how quiet everyone was when he was like "We can't just spend the next 4 years in a safe space".
    It was kind of like "YEA-wait that's a trigger..."
    Such an amazing song... and the first of Frank Turner I've ever heard. First impressions...

  22. J.... T....

    GREAT JOB FRANK 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

  23. A.... H....

    Thank you I needed this one!

  24. G.... N....

    Thank you Frank! A really great Song! Fuck racism

  25. T.... ....

    Has to be one of my favourite Frank songs <3

  26. M.... Y....

    This is amazing. I needed this

  27. N.... M....

    Frank - Just want you to know that while creating the event below, this song was on repeat all day. Thanks for your music. "Let's be the sand in the gears for the next four years!"
    https://www.facebook.com/events/1949652305264195/

  28. O.... C....

    How cant you just be so awesome, frank? <3

  29. G.... ....

    Frank turners live shows have some of the best crowds everyone sings along and i have never had a bad experience at them.

  30. B.... ....

    I wish I could play this for my students but I teach elementary. Doesn't mean that I'm not listening to it every time they are out of the room!

  31. B.... F....

    We needed this right now. Thanks Frank!!!

  32. D.... P....

    This, This, is the reason the world needs Frank Turner, awesome!

  33. P.... R....

    Beautiful mate. Good to see a shade of light in this blistering existence of modern Hell. :)

  34. D.... A....

    Fabulous song Frank.. Your are the greatest..

  35. O.... L....

    so wicked to hear this and see you banging it out ....give em hell and remember I see you there too... not the only one buddy....
    let me know when you come back home South Coast of England New Forest Gal whoop whoop. .. say hello to FELIX for me .... you doing great .... haven't heard from you In a bit FELIX now I know WHY.... hope the FAMILY is good
    get in touch with me you two. ..
    Shax aka Chaos @ Outta Promotions - EAA Collective UK Promoting Reviewing Supporting the Independent DIY Non-Corporate Underground LIVE Music MakerZ MoverZ ShakerZ of the Independent DIY Non-Corporate Underground LIVE Music World Worldwide. ... KEEPIN IT LIVE n KICKIN coz SILENCE is NOT an OPTION UNITY thru MUSIC - MUNIFY. ....

  36. I.... B....

    Great show, Frank! DC/MD really appreciate you coming out and spreading the positive vibes during this insane time.

  37. D.... K....

    First great original protest song of the 21st Century! I tried to get the crowd around me in DC who were marching yesterday to sing the chorus, but..... too new. ;)

  38. L.... ....

    It was amazing watching him perform this on inauguration night. Powerful as hell.

  39. C.... ....

    Yes! this is why I matched with all those strong, fierce women yesterday!

  40. O.... L....

    Billy Bragg finally tempted you back to protest music. Keep up the great work!

  41. N.... M....

    Love it 😘

  42. t.... ....

    Thank you Frank.

  43. J.... R....

    Fuck man I needed this today!

  44. K.... D....

    Just throwing this out there, but if a U.K. singer-songwriter feels so inclined to comment on American "politics", perhaps it's because there's a bigger reason than democrat vs republican.

    K.... D....

    Kara Dello I would say, with Brexit, & the recent UK elections, almost everything he says here, applies to the UK too

  45. Z.... ....

    Thank you so much for this, Frank. We needed this.

  46. t.... ....

    Right. 'I Thought we were winning the war against the homophobes and the racists' DOES NOT MEAN HE IS CALLING ANY SPECIFIC GROUP HOMOPHOBIC OR RACIST. It simply means that he, like many others, have noted the resurgence in such things, and even though the song is obviously referring heavily to the election it does not mean he is calling every Trump supporter homophobic or racist! From the interviews it's quite obvious Frank knows a lot about politics, and so is making a foray back into political music (influenced by the fantastic Mr Will Varley in some form i have no doubt) and knows that not all republicans are homophobes or racist.

    Side note- I don't care if your religion believes its a sin, i don't care if it was how you were brought up, If you insult someone because of their gender, sex, colour, accent, etc YOU ARE HOMOPHOBIC/RACIST, at least in my eyes. You are detracting from someones life and that's not OK. The fact that Pence supports Conversion Therapy, the fact that anything about the LGBTQ+ has been taken from the white house website, the fact that trump wants to build a fucking wall to divide the country from Mexico MAKES PENCE HOMOPHOBIC, AND MAKES TRUMP RACIST.

    I am open to debate. I'm not going to devolve into insulting your mother if you post a counter argument to me. Both sides need to talk, to heal, Brexit and the Election have torn the western world apart and the only way to heal is to do what we were always going to do and just Sit Down And Talk. Just in return, please don't devolve to insulting me, I will ignore you if you do.

    and no matter what, have a lovely day.

    t.... ....

    @Raven F Thank you!

    t.... ....

    thechannelofcomments
    Totally agree. Fucking A!

    t.... ....

    Thanks!

    t.... ....

    I really like this post, and that your interested in actually talking issues instead of insulting people. We need more open discussions. Also, cudos on the completely relevant and awesome Doctor Who reference. It's a good scene to keep in mind right now.

    t.... ....

    thechannelofcomments Nice dude. All man should talk not fight and if we do fight let it be for fun then just give each other hugs.

  47. N.... ....

    I wonder if Trump's trade policy will reduce the number of foreign artists working in the USA. It would be sad if USA citizens have to travel to Canada to see foreign bands.

  48. h.... d....

    it was a wonderful show, fuck anyone who feels the need to defend themselves from a line in a protest song. they're the reason the song exists.

  49. T.... ....

    THANK YOU FOR THIS.

  50. A.... P....

    Eloquently put as ever Mr Turner. Nice one.

  51. C.... C....

    I WAS THERE! WHO ELSE?

  52. A.... H....

    You opened with this in Philly last night, and it was fucking great. Thanks, Frank.

  53. B.... D....

    Protest is all well and good but saying "let's be the sand in the gears for the next four years" is flat out idiotic. Look at the issues, get involved, this black and white divide over party lines only makes things worse.

    Don't be the Republicans during the Obama administration, be better than them.

  54. S.... ....

    Love it :)

  55. p.... ....

    amazing show, as usual. whiskey crowd surfing shots and not a wall of death, rather the wall of hugs ♡

  56. g.... ....

    *watches video* - begins to feel a little bit more positive about the next few years
    *scrolls down* - immediately loses all hope again

    g.... ....

    If you're about to lose hope scrolling down, maybe I can do something about this: Dozens People from all over the world have told me how much they needed this song, and millions of people all over the world are taking to the streets to stand for equality and freedom from fear. We are many, and we're on these barricades together. All is not lost. Cheers :).

    g.... ....

    Yeah man, encouraged by all the marches across the world yesterday. Gotta keep looking for the positives, stick together and fight the good fight whenever we can!

    g.... ....

    Don't let trolls fuck with your emotions. That's exactly why they are here.

  57. P.... W....

    Yes! Fuck yes!

  58. G.... ....

    man that's so great! I'm gonna be the fucking sand frank!

  59. D.... D....

    I love the message in this song. I can't wait to be the sand in the gears!

  60. p.... ....

    A little bit of hope for us all

  61. a.... ....

    Pretty weak

  62. T.... S....

    This song is a SJW trash.

    T.... S....

    "everyone who disagrees with me is a sjw"

    T.... S....

    Or a nazi right?...

    T.... S....

    Pretty high and mighty for a movement that calls feminists "feminazis".

    T.... S....

    Feminists demand extra rights for western women but afraid to stand up against Islamic woman abuse.

    T.... S....

    What a completely irrelevant thing to say dude. This is a Frank Turner song, not the comments section of a Huffpo article. If you don't like the song just dislike it and move on

  63. F.... ....

    Frank, your songs have a way of hitting exactly the right note when I need a pick me up. Thank you. See you in Denver on Wednesday!

  64. P.... ....

    Fucking hell this is amazing!
    "We can't just spend the next four years in a safe space, I'm going to spend the next four years getting outraged." - So damn true

  65. S.... ....

    It's weird. Frank Turner is someone who can write the best political songs ever and someone who has written some of the best political songs ever. So why does this sound so unoriginal and superficial? Someone who has written this: " I am the politburo, but I am the velvet revolution, a Budapest kick from fifty-six and so: let's all go hand in hand to the local polling station and make our own categories, then vote for ourselves." has now written this song?

    S.... ....

    I think it's a bit unfair to say that the song "essentially says nothing". To me, it's a pretty good representation of the feelings some of us had after the election. First, the absolute helplessness and OHGODWHATDOWEDO, then the anger that comes right before the midpoint of the song, and then the resolve to unite and stand up to whatever bullshit is coming our way now.

    It's a simple song, but sometimes simple is all you need. Frank calls it "a song for this moment in time", and I think that's exactly what it is. You might not be listening to it ten years down the line to admire the clever lyricism, but it's nice to belt it out with a bunch of like-minded people at a gig. And in the end, that's what Frank's, or really anyone's music, is about.

    S.... ....

    I disagree you. @Skopeek

    S.... ....

    It's fine if you don't like it but I genuinely don't find it "unoriginal" or "superficial" at all: "Can't I just spend the next four years at a punk show?" perfectly encapsulates how a lot of us feel. I also particularly liked "We can't just spend the next four years in a safe space" because I feel like not a lot of liberal people will openly say that and yet if we keep closing ourselves up with only people who think like us, then reactionary thinking might *actually* win. That's what is already happening.

    I like his Million Dead lyrics too, I'm a nerd and voracious reader myself so I can roll with the impressive vocabulary and nonstop references to other things as much as anyone else. But this is clearly meant to be a punk rock rallying song, and that's not how you write a rallying song. Personally, the fact that he can do both and knows when to use which, is one of the reasons he's my favorite songwriter.

    S.... ....

    I agree, actually. I've been a huge fan of Frank Turner's since way back when I was in high school. This song just feels so cliche and flat and generic and whiny. All the things Frank Turner's lyrics usually are NOT. This song says nothing to me, but then I'm not the type to get bent out of shape or screech and cry over the results of an election. I would have expected Frank to be the type to keep his head, but this sounds so safe and obvious and trotted out. The man feels what he feels, though, and music is his platform. May he sing it loudly, then.

    S.... ....

    Skopeek I so agree!! This song is the Sweet N Low version in FTHC. He ought not call a portion of his audience "homophobes and racists"-- for fuck's sake, I'm not voting for a Hillary, EVER. He wrote "Sons of Liberty" and that spoke to self sufficiency -- the Bernie crowd demands free shit. It's sad really -- I hope Frank goes back to basics and quits pandering to the snowflakes.

  66. J.... S....

    Now this song is clearly about the now 45th president of the united states Donald Trump. The premise is great, your fairly standard protest song about what is a very unfortunate series of events that has happened in America (Shame he was better than the even worse Hillary Clinton). None the less, the idea of radical protest democracy is a great image and work with the song. Hell, go on and protest it is YOUR democratic right. However, some of the comments in here do not help the protest, nor do they help the premise of the song.

    The problem I see with this track is unfortunately the comment 'I thought that we were winning the war against the homophobes and racists'. Does not help the cause at all. In fact it massively degrades the argument and opinion trying to be portrayed as it takes the very traditional regressive stance that anyone who voted Trump is a homophobe or Racist. This is not true, and moreover, comments like that go on to further demonise the people who voted for Trump white lower class Americans whom despite whatever opinions for whatever reasons have been told by politicians and the wider community they are disgusting racist homophobic woman haters.

    Please people don't demonise and isolate these people defeat them in rational well argued debate rather than 'I am offended' you racist, homophobe, (insert other over used slur to describe someone who differs ideologically). Ultimately, just further demonises Trump voters and the Americans who voted for him by branding them racists/homophobes.

    J.... S....

    @Zaephyros first, it got personal as a dumb comment like that needed a childish answer. Second, to your second point I never say Trump's appointees are homophobic/racist, I do however concede that a small minority of his supporters are homophobes and racists.

    J.... S....

    I meant to get back to this the other day, but in light of the recent ban of migration from 7 countries for 3 months (and Syria indefinitely). Trump has done an inherently Xenophobic thing and it is tragic. None the less my point on branding all his supporters racists still stands.

    J.... S....

    James Sendall Not all of his supporters age homophobic or racist, but they decided that neither is a deal breaker. That is just as bad in circumstances like this. Horrible actions don't require your participation, they just require you to sit back and do nothing. Apathy can be as bad as outright malicious intent, and this administration is malicious. So I'm with Turner on this one. The homophobes and racists won a battle, and now we're gonna have to fight them for four years.

  67. D.... T....

    I liked Frank but this is boring, predictable and shit, remember 'worse things happen at sea' when you was original and sung with passion

    D.... T....

    it's all subjective. i personally dislike worse things at sea.

  68. T.... C....

    Thank you Frank. Your ability to find hope in the darkest of times is an inspiration to us all. Let's stop putting our head in the sand and start fighting for what we believe in - kindness, tolerance, solidarity and friendship.

  69. t.... ....

    I hope this means a new record is in the make! Sure it's been only two years but there were only two years between Tape Deck Heart and PS4NP, too, so ...

    Love the song :)

    t.... ....

    Pretty sure he made a statement when announcing this tour that it was his last in NA for a while so he could focus on the new record

    t.... ....

    He's currently working/writing on two more records and he wants to finish both of them in 2017 ;)

    t.... ....

    Two? Really? I can recall him saying he won't do a double record ... so why two records?

    t.... ....

    Either one MH record (which is in the making for almost two years already) or some kind of next record + a folky EP/Album about women in history. I already heard 2-3 songs out of his collection and I can't believe he will turn this work into a full album. He always played those songs solo and as I said, they were more folky than anything he did before. So I think maybe a folky Solo EP/record and a "classic" rock record with the Souls on it.

    t.... ....

    Oh wow okay, sounds exciting, I'm hyped! :)

  70. b.... ....

    thank u so much, the world needed this today. ly

  71. C.... O....

    I'm gonna spend the four years praying trump as president is a joke

  72. D.... ....

    There should be a studio version of this! :)

    D.... ....

    I think this live version is even more powerful than a studio version ;)

    D.... ....

    DerSchattenloseMann There will be. This song is going to be on his next album. Frank wants to release it before the year is out.

  73. D.... M....

    Ha ha! Love it.

  74. L.... G....

    Sorry to be that guy. Typo at 1:27

  75. E.... R....

    As if there ever was a good choice...
    And actually now WWIII is less likely to happen

    E.... R....

    robert9901 I think Hillary is even worse

    E.... R....

    you're right. no qualifications, no discernible plan, on board with sexual assault, in the pocket of Russia, picked nothing but far right or white supremacists to be in his government, blatant liar, bully (both to everyday people and people who do work for him), womanizer, cheat (both marriage and tax). Takes donations and pay to play money from foreign countries and leaders. Far better than someone with a private email server.

    E.... R....

    robert9901 Far better than someone who has already invaded and bombed countries and is as retrograde as trump

    E.... R....

    So get involved, vote in the primaries and give yourself a better option in 4 years time.

  76. t.... h....

    So, why hasn't Youtube installed a "replay" button yet? This song needs it!

    t.... h....

    Right-click the video, press loop. There you go :)

    t.... h....

    oh man, i feel silly. but still! Thanks!

    t.... h....

    If you're on a computer/laptop, left click on the video and click loop

  77. J.... L....

    It's time for the good guys to get pissed off for a change. Love it.

  78. D.... D....

    Man! I used to like frank, now everyone who's not a full blown regressive is a racist, homophobe. #MAGA #MAGA #MAGA

    D.... D....

    Dickhead Dickinson not for people who support sexual assault, racism, and homophobia.

    D.... D....

    hayley dent but the problem is, the left has just started labelling everyone racist, sexist, homophobes and 1. It's absolutely false in most cases 2. It's really undermining the cause.

    D.... D....

    Raven F. I should read up on my politics? Hahahahaha good one buster. My point is frank has gotten so far into this shitstorm of 'progressive' (regressive) politics and he's to blind to see how shit it is. I'm not basing this on the song alone, I'm talking about at gigs, in interviews, on twitter.

    D.... D....

    Graham Kelly awwwww cute insult baba.

  79. L.... C....

    So good frank!!!

  80. V.... ....

    Shit Frank this is great!

  81. K.... C....

    I was there!!!! Great new song and great show!